Light propagation and the distance-redshift relation in a realistic inhomogeneous universe

Journal Article · Sun Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Physical Review (Section) D: Particles and Fields; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.40.2502· OSTI ID:5250540

Futamase, T ^[1]; Sasaki, M ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036, Japan (JP)
2. NASA/Fermilab Astrophysics Center, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, Illinois 60510 Research Institute for Theoretical Physics, Hiroshima University, Takehara, Hiroshima 725, Japan

We investigate the propagation of light rays in a clumpy universe constructed by a cosmological version of the post-Newtonian approximation. We show that the linear approximation to the propagation equations is valid in the region {ital z}{approx lt}1 even if the density contrast is much larger than unity. Based on a general order-of-magnitude statistical consideration, we argue that the linear approximation is still valid for {ital z}{approx gt}1. Then we give a general formula for the distance-redshift relation in a clumpy universe and derive an explicit expression for a simplified situation in which the effect of the gravitational potential of inhomogeneities dominates. In the light of the derived relation we discuss the validity of the Dyer-Roeder distance. Furthermore, we consider a simple model of an inhomogeneous universe and investigate statistical properties of light rays. We find that the result of this specific example also supports the validity of the linear approximation.

• OSTI ID: 5250540
• Journal Information: Physical Review (Section) D: Particles and Fields; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review (Section) D: Particles and Fields; (USA) Vol. 40:8; ISSN PRVDA; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
657003 -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Relativity & Gravitation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METRICS
RED SHIFT
SPACE-TIME
STATISTICAL MODELS
UNIVERSE